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HPV & ANAL WARTS REMOVAL NYC

AWARD WINNING, NATIONALLY TRUSTED HPV & ANAL WART REMOVAL SURGEON

HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection and can cause warts on the anus, genitals, surrounding skin, and/or face. We specialize in anal wart removal to provide relief and improve the comfort of our patients. Reach out to us or visit our NYC office to learn more about how we can help.

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Table of contents

LEARN ABOUT HPV & ANAL WARTS FROM THE EXPERTS AT BESPOKE SURGICAL

 

What is HPV?

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection, affecting mostly gay and bisexual men as well as transgender and cisgender women. Most people get exposed to HPV at some point in their lives but are never aware of it. Researchers estimate the prevalence of HPV in MSM ranges between 60 percent in the general population to up to 90 percent in MSM living in conjunction with the HIV virus. That said, HPV is the most prevalent sexually transmitted infection the US, with up to 14 million people infected yearly. Given these high numbers, it’s important that you see an HPV specialist if you suspect you’ve contracted or transmitted HPV.

 

Causes Of HPV

Why is this yearly number so high? It could be related to how easy it is to transmit. The virus enters the body through a cut, abrasion, or small tear in the outer layer of your skin, and is transferred primarily by sexual intercourse and skin-to-skin contact. It can easily be transferred to others even if you are asymptomatic, although treatment and monitoring may help. It does lead to medical, emotional, and sexual ramifications and is the cause of nearly all anal cancers and their precursors HGSIL and LGSIL (however, only a fraction of anal HPV infections develop into cancer).

Unfortunately, something else to consider is that Herpes can occasionally cause immunity issues that may exacerbate HPV issues. Additionally, there have been instances where HPV occurrence is the first sign of HIV medications not fully immunosuppressing. All of your lab numbers may be in line, but we have to deal with new or recurring lesions. If you are HIV positive, you should consult with your HIV specialist about this.

 

What Are The Symptoms Of HPV?

Symptoms may include warts on the anus, genitals, surrounding skin, and/or face. The warts may cause itching, bleeding, discharge, mucus production, lumps, pain, and/or constipation. Although many people with HPV do not develop symptoms, one can still infect others through sexual contact and/or develop anal dysplasia. Anal dysplasia is the transformation of cells around the anus into pre-cancerous, abnormal cells, which have a higher likelihood of transitioning into cancerous tumors. For this reason, it is imperative to get tested annually and monitor accordingly.

 

How Is HPV Diagnosed?

Human Papilloma Virus is diagnosed via cytological testing (HPV sub-typing and anal pap smear), along with an exam known as an HRA (High Resolution Anoscopy). A plastic instrument called an anoscope is used to look at the anal canal with a special microscope called a colposcope.

The anal pap smear examines cells that constitute the outer layer of anal tissue, known as squamous cells, and determines the level of infection that you may have. Positive pap smears are classified into 3 diagnostic categories: ASCUS, LGSIL, and HGSIL.

  • ASCUS. Atypical Squamous Cells of Unknown Significance is a diagnosis in which cells were found that were not normal, but also not identifiable. This can be caused by dysplasia, but it can also be caused by inflammation or other factors like hemorrhoids and fissures.
  • LGSIL. Low Grade Squamous Intraepithilial Lesion, also known as mild dysplasia, is a diagnosis that can present with warts or lesions. It is not considered pre-cancerous, but can turn into HGSIL over time.
  • HGSIL. High Grade Squamous Intraepithilial Lesion is a diagnosis in which there is precancerous change to the skin of the anal canal or perianal area. This is not cancer, and only a small fraction of these diagnoses progress into cancer.

The HRA is the best technique for detecting precancerous lesions, anal cancer, and dysplasia (a pre-cancerous condition which occurs when the lining of the anal canal undergoes abnormal changes). If an abnormal area is seen, then a very small piece of anal tissue may be biopsied to check for signs of cancer or dysplasia. Biopsies positive for dysplasia are classified into Anal Intraepithelial Neoplasia (AIN) levels 1-3, with AIN3 considered carcinoma in-situ.

Utilizing a combination of cytological testing, HRA, and/or biopsy results allows for risk stratification and the development of a comprehensive treatment algorithm.

 

Recovering From An HPV-Related Surgery

After your initial diagnosis and/or treatment, Dr. Evan Goldstein, our HPV specialist, will continue to monitor the anal canal to check for signs of disease regression or progression. Our standard monitoring schedule begins with a follow-up visit after 1 month, followed by subsequent appointments 3, 6, & 12 months later. From then on, you will continue to be seen annually. Additionally, you can perform monthly self-examinations while showering for constant evaluation.

 

Preventing HPV

In terms of prevention, there is a vaccine called Gardasil that protects against the HPV strains that are most likely to cause genital warts and cancer, and is recommended for all patients under the age of 26. If you are 26 or over and HPV-negative for one or more of the strains that Gardasil protects against, it may be useful to receive the vaccine. For recurrent wart disease that has been difficult to control with treatment, obtaining the vaccine may prove beneficial due to its immune-boosting capabilities. Furthermore, post-play showering does aid in reduction and should be used as another effective prevention method, by washing away the virus particles.

 

How Can A HPV Doctor Help?

Understanding the intricacies of the human papilloma virus, specifically in our gay community, allows for not only a complete understanding and eradication of the sequelae from contracting the virus, but also sets the stage for successful sexual encounters, whatever they may be. The taboo, unfortunately, still exists and more so the lack of knowledge as it pertains specifically to this virus.

A fully specialized HPV physician understands both the external and internal sequelae that can occur and garners the best overall medical and surgical management. Without a comprehensive plan of care, prolonged management can ensue, frustrating all parties involved. Complete eradication is paramount at the onset. And clearly, without appropriate care, significant consequences, like transformation to pre-cancer and full cancerous changes, can occur. Comprehensive, yet specific management mounts success (pun intended).

 

Anal Wart Removal By Bespoke Surgical’s HPV Physcians

While there is no cure for HPV, the infection may clear on its own. If it does not, and treatment is needed, there are many options that an HPV doctor can help with. Treatment focuses on anal wart removal and anal cancer prevention. Warts can be approached with topical creams, acids, infrared coagulation, and/or electrocautery. The best course of action is dependent on the extent and location of the disease.

Clients that present with only mild to moderate external disease may be given topical therapy such as Aldara for 8-16 weeks; if persisting or extensive disease is present, then an operation is warranted for eradication. If internal disease is present, it is generally treated by cauterization in an operating room under anesthetic sedation for maximized comfort. Recurrence rates can be as high as 30%, and since most recurrences are external we will prescribe topical treatment once surgery has healed.

With that said, Dr. Goldstein sees over and over again subpar recommendations from outside providers. The impetus of visible skin lesions leads many down the path to seek a dermatologist as their initial encounter or a primary doctor may help attempt to eradicate the externally visible lesions. However, usually the external focus is just the tip of the iceberg.

One must undergo a thorough sexual history, as well as complete internal and external evaluation via a high resolution anoscope with the appropriate screening and laboratory testing. Knowing your vaccination status and undergoing the 3-shot regimen, if necessary, is essential and a more holistic whole body sexual approach specific to the community allows for the success of both the initial management and the future potential as well.

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CASE STUDY

“My partner and I have been together for 7 years and recently have mutually decided to open our relationship. This all stemmed from him not enjoying bottoming at all. Trust me – we’ve tried and it’s a definite no-go. However, he is super supportive of allowing me the versatile experience I so desire. We are both on PrEP and get routine checks every three months. Recently, I have met a group of guys that are so in tune with my needs and provide me with amazing and tantalizing experiences.

I use protection on and off, I must admit, because the raw sensation just does it for me. I was at the gym the other day, feeling around while showering, when I noticed a few bumps that were not evident the weeks prior. When I got home, I was able to explore more thoroughly and found there were clusters in my anal region and looked like they were entering inside the actual hole. Naturally, I freaked out and ran over to my primary doctor for a professional opinion. These lesions wound up being anal warts, caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV).

I was sent to Dr. Goldstein in NY for a complete evaluation, both inside and out, along with risk assessment and education. During the exam, Dr. Goldstein performed a full pap smear and HPV testing, along with both an external and internal exam. It was then determined that I needed to undergo a procedure using sedation and local anesthesia at a surgery center in Midtown to get rid of them. It was definitely not a pleasant post-operative experience, but it needed to be done and I am so happy Dr. Goldstein was the one doing it.

I am finally back to bottoming and now have a new understanding of HPV as well. I made sure everyone in my group, along with my partner, got fully checked out. It was not a blame game, but more about making sure everyone had a clean slate moving forward. Dr. Goldstein also determined I did not have the high risk strains of HPV, so getting the vaccine – even though I am over the age of 26 – was beneficial and my partner got it as well. Now I get checked every 3 months for the first year to make sure nothing has returned. So far so good.”

PHYSICIANS

Dr. Evan Goldstein, D.O.

Dr. Evan Goldstein is the Founder and CEO of Bespoke Surgical, NYC’s leading sexual health private practice. He received his osteopathic doctorate from the University of Medicine and Dentistry School in 2002 and completed his residency in General Surgery at Maimonides Medical Center. In 2020, he was named one of NYC’s top LGBTQ+ business leaders by Crain’s New York and he is involved with GLSEN, ACRIA, HRC, and Callen-Lorde’s Howard J. Brown Society. All of these experiences and affiliations have shaped his whole-life approach towards the practice of private surgical care and sexual wellness.

Read More      Dr. Evan Goldstein’s NPI record    Click to send an email to egoldstein@bespokesurgical.com

This page was medically reviewed by Dr. Evan Goldstein on November 13, 2020.

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